//------------------------------//
// 227 - Politics are Insane 
// Story: Putting on a Silver Robe and Wizard Hat 
// by David Silver 
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Luna entered the hotel where the human was staying, pausing a moment to gather her breath and her nerve. She was determined to apologize, even she didn't like what he was doing. She marched to the front counter. "I would wish to speak to the human John Smith."

"He's not here," replied the stallion standing there. "According to his note, he won't be for a while. Actually, since you're here..." He handed over the note. "I was going to have this mailed over to the castle, but since you came to me, Your Highness, here you are."

"What is this?" Her eyes scanned  over the paper from side to side and she frowned. "I see..." Her plans of apology, dashed. Had she caused him to flee? She nodded to the stallion. "Thank you." She walked away, promising to herself to try to think before acting. The contents of the letter were worrying. There was only one pony she knew that would handle it properly.

She returned to Celestia, who was trying to slumber in her room. She had frizzes in her mane and looked tired from her brief and aborted nap, but she woke. "Sister?"

"'Tia," Luna nodded to her rousing sibling. "Look." She floated the letter over, held in her magic. "I scared him away."

Celestia accepted the letter, the color of the magic turning to the gold of her own as she scanned over it. "I don't think Silver will be taking this post."

"Who will?"

"His daughter, of course, or yours, technically. We will release her, fully well and ready to do her part for society, here." She tapped at the letter. "She's ready to help and serve the lunar ponies, who she has come to love and respect deeply, and has one as a mother figure, not to mention their literal progenitor as legal guardian. Could we ask for a finer choice?"

Luna raised a brow. "One with a better-defined sense of right and wrong, to begin with. She is detached from the world we live in."

Celestia rolled a hoof. "I'm not banishing her, or even sending her out of the castle. She'll get an office close to her family's, and serve her ponies proudly. A unicorn that sees lunars not only as ponies, but as friends and family, that's exactly what we need to help mend this rift."

Luna took a slow and deep sigh. "You're not entirely wrong, sister of mine. Still, to release her now?"

"I was going to ask that you do so in either event," admitted Celestia. "She can't have that hanging over her head and do what I wished her to do. She has learned the most vital lessons and is ready to be trusted." She nodded as she put the letter aside. "She at least considers the feelings of others before acting. She understands those around her feel as she does, hurts as she can, and can love and be loved. She is ready to be a pony."

Luna nodded in agreement. "Then I will set her free. Now, I've kept you up long enough." She leaned in and kissed Celestia's cheek. "Sleep well. I'll let her know and take care of this."

Celestia gave a little nod in return, hugging Luna in return and turning back for her bed. "I need to finish my sleep, sister dear, or I'd be glad to help you. See you in the morning, alright?"

Luna left her sister to return to slumber, but she had things to do. She prowled towards Silver's room.





Silver blinked softly at Samantha and Moonbeam. "Repeat that again?"

Samantha pointed at Moonbeam. "He is my ward, just as I am Luna's. I will see--"

Night tilted her head faintly. "Is this legal? Can you take wards?"

Samantha shook her head back. "Celestia said it was official." She wrapped a hoof around Moonbeam and hugged him close even as he squirmed. "I want to be as good of a parental figure as you two and Luna have been to me."

Moon blinked. "You're Luna's? I mean, she adopted you?"

The door swung open, admitting Luna. "I did, and it is not a decision I regret."

Moon's eyes went wide as the others nodded towards her with familiarity. "Holy moon, it is you!"

"'Tis I. I've come to deliver news. Apologies for not knocking, but I think it is imminently related."

Night rolled a hoof. "There's a good forty percent chance you're here to free Samantha."

Luna blinked softly. "Are we that predictable? Yes. Samantha, you have learned well what we wanted to teach you, and feel confident you can tend to yourself. You are my ward no longer and are an independent pony."

Samantha didn't look as happy as some might predict. "But... I want to be their daughter, and yours. I want to learn and..."

Luna held up a hoof. "Worry not. You can be a daughter without being a ward. If the offer still stands, I should imagine this herd will take you quite lovingly."

Silver nodded firmly. "I wouldn't dream of turning you away."

Moon squirmed away to look Luna over slowly. "So... are you here to punish me?"

"Whatever for?" Luna looked down at the small colt. "I trust your parent to discipline you, and she is right behind you. I am, at best, a grandparent. It is a grandparent's duty to spoil children." She produced a lollipop from nowhere and handed it to the stunned Moonbeam who accepted it in his mouth, still staring at Luna.

Silver smiled a little. "This is good news. Samantha really has come a far way." He closed the distance to hug her gently. "I'm so proud of you." The hug was returned and both smiled into it, enjoying the closeness.

"That is not all I came for," warned Luna. "Samantha, it is time for you to have your first official duty."

Samantha blinked. "Wasn't I going to be the pony charged with tracking all the money in Mister Smith's organization?"

"And that is true, mostly." Luna rose to her full height. "The human, John Smith, has departed. Meaning his creation is in need of a new leader. You will do as you planned, to watch the money come and go, with our blessing, but you will also lead the organization. You will be our agent to be sure lunar ponies have a place to turn and are promoted in society. You have a considerable network of lunar friends, do you not?"

Samantha's ears flicked back. "I would consider most to be my friend, but I am not certain how many return that feeling."

"Find out," urged Luna even as Silver slipped to the side. "Speak to them and the other lunars affected by this tragedy and help them recover first, then turn your eyes to the many others that get missed on a daily basis. Begin with lunars, but, as time and resources allow, spread. You will be our vanguard for those who would otherwise fall through the cracks of society, much like yourself once did."

Samantha gave a sharp salute. "I bet I could start a study..."

Night raised a brow. "Focus on the task at hand first. There's plenty in front of you that doesn't need studying."

"Right." Samantha rose. "Moonbeam, it's time for bed."

"What?!"

"Tomorrow we get you signed up for school. Tonight, you sleep. Sleep is a required portion of a healthy and productive education," spoke Samantha clearly and confidently. "Do you desire me to... 'tuck you in'?" She raised an ear. "This way."

Moonbeam blushed fiercely at the offer to treat him like a foal that needed that, but he followed along after her to be tucked in.

Luna watched them go before looking back to Silver and Night. "I have a question."

Silver perked an ear curiously. "What?"

"Did I do well?" She gestured at the departed Samantha. "In her. She is better, don't you think?" Her tone was hopeful, almost desperate.

Night nodded firmly. "Like night and day compared to how she was, but like night and day, she's still the same person, just with a new view of the world around her."

Silver bobbed his head. "She's great. She isn't our wife, as she was before, but she's a part of the family, and I'm proud to have her." He advanced on Luna and kissed her cheek, bringing a blush to it. "Just as I'm proud to have you in my future."

Luna staggered back half a step. "If others saw that!"

"Fortunately, they didn't," said Silver with a smile. "I'm feeling better, knowing who will be my family or not. I almost want to just get it over with, so we can all be together."

Night suddenly swatted him across the head. "No matter who we marry, we're all busy ponies. We won't get to hang out nearly as often as you're imagining."

Silver pouted a bit at that, then pointed to Luna. "She's right there. I could tackle her and keep her for a few minutes at least."

Luna blushed intensely. "I get a say in this," she demanded.

Silver flashed a bright smile as he pulled out a line previously directed at him. "Of course, top or bottom?"





Luna left them some time later, fresh and smiling. Night shook her head at her husband. "What a stallion I've married. If I hadn't already nominated her privately, I'd be so angry right now."

Silver rolled his eyes. "As if you weren't involved. You made her hit such interesting notes."

Night flushed faintly. "You seem cheerful, in a lusty sort of way."

"I'm happy," reported Silver with a firm nod.  "My family is decided on. I love them, every bit of them, even the imperfect parts, and they love me." He stretched out slowly. "I feel great, and, damn it, I'm not hiding it. I'm going to kiss and hug you at random times and give you gifts and compliments, so there. I'm happy and you have to suffer the consequences."

Night nuzzled him gently. "I'll accept that. Come on, you need sleep too." She nipped at his throat. "Stallions are like overgrown foals."

They retired together, though they perhaps avoided sleep a little while before sleep descended on the entire suite.

Samantha sung a lullaby used long ago by her father as she tucked in her ward, making sure the covers were well in place and kissing both of his cheeks. "Remember, you're safe now." He gave her a little smile, unsure of that statement, but seeming willing to entertain its existence, and perhaps hoping to be true.

All were confident that Luna would chase away any particularly nasty dreams, but that they were happy enough among themselves to not need the protection.